Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to introducing teaching assistants into the classroom in addition to special needs assistants, who could possibly be trained in the PEC and ABA programmes under the new jobs pathways scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18889/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I presume that the Deputy's question relates primarily to classes in which children with autism are enrolled.

As the Deputy is aware the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is currently preparing Policy Advice on the Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The NCSE has advised my Department that the Policy Advice will be delivered in the spring of 2015 and will draw upon findings gathered from an extensive consultation process which has already commenced.

It is open to all interested parties to contribute to the consultation process and in that context I have arranged for the Deputy's suggestion to be forwarded to NCSE for consideration. I expect that the NCSE final report will reflect the broadest possible range of views and provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy for future years.